PS 635 
j .Z9 B12 
) Copy 1 



tional Copyrighted (in EnglaiVd, her Colonies 
is) Edition of the Works of ti.^e Best Authors 



The Singing Soul 

A CHINESE PLAY IN ONE ACT 



No. 387 




BY 



MRS HENRY BACKUS 



COPYRIGHT, 1920. BY SAMUEL. FRENCH 



All Rights Reserved 



CAUTION 



hereby- 
being- 
of the 



Professionals and Amateurs are 
warned that "THE SINGING SOUL," 
fully protected under the copyright laws 
United States, is subject to a royalty, and anyone 
presenting the play without the consent of the 
owner or his authorized agent will be liable to the 
penalties by law provided. Application for pro- 
fessional and amateur acting rights must be made 
TO Samuel French, 28-30 West 38th St., New York. 

PRICE 30 CENTS 



New York 
SAMUEL FREXCE 

;8-30 WEST .3STH :;TREET 
PUBLI5HEB 



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STRAND 



The Singing Soul 



A CHINESE PLAY IN ONE ACT. 



By 
MRS. HENRY BACKUS 



Copyright, 1920, by Samuel French 
All Rights Reserved 



CAUTION. — Professionals and Amateurs are hereby 
warned that "THE SINGING SOUL," being 
fully protected under the copyright laws of the 
United States, is subject to a royalty, and anyone 
presenting the play without the consent of the 
owner or his authorized agent will be liable to the 
penalties by law provided. Application for pro- 
fessional and amateur acting rights must be made 
to Samuel French, 28-30 West 38th St., New York. 



New York 
SA^tUEL FRENCH 

Publisher 
28-30 West 38th Street 



London 

SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 

26 Southampton Street 

Strand 






g)Gi.a 56065 



NOV 20 1920 

TKPS2-008570 



PREFACE 

The story of Ko Ngai is from a collection en- 
titled "A Hundred Examples of Filial Piety," trans- 
lated from the Chinese by P. Dabry de Thiersant in 
1877, and appearing later in Lafcadio Hearn's beau- 
tiful short story, "The Soul of the Great Bell." 
Mrs. Archibald Little also tells it in her book of 
travel "Round My Peking Garden." quoting at 
length from the original legend. We find it again 
in "The Yellow Jacket" in the following lines 
spoken by the chorus : 

"The great bell calls, me. The bell-maker cast it 
of pure gold and silver but its notes proved brazen. 
The Son of Heaven was supremely annoyed. The 
bell-maker recast it. When the metal was molten, 
to save her father's life, for fear its notes would 
again carry base tones, Ko Ngai, his daughter, dis- 
posed of her body by springing into the mass of 
white heat; so her soul became of the bell wrought 
^ by her father. The metal welded with her spirit, 
and its tone was then one of harmony and love." 

In "The Singing Soul" the author has chosen to 
elaborate on the theme without doing violence to 
historical facts. The reign of the Emperor, Yung 
Loh, was noted as an era of peace ; therefore, the 
author feels permitted to attribute to him the quali- 
ties indicated in the play, also to introduce other 
fictitious characters for the sake of the plot. At the 
same time she wishes to acknowledge her indebted- 
ness to the writers above-mentioned for the inspira- 
tion furnished in the writing of the play. 

3 



CAST OF CHARACTERS 



KwAN Yu, a mandarin of the Illustrious Mingf 

dynasty. 
Tsi Moo 1 

Ting Ling > The mandarin's daughters. 
KoNgai J 
Yen, a servant. 
,YuNG LoH, Celestially August Emperor of Peking^ 

Son of Heaven. 
Pao Chen, a student of the stars. 

(More characters may be introduced if performed 
out of doors, to include a dance by the fire spirits 
and the bellsmiths.) 

Time : Five hundred years ago in the flowery 
Kingdom. A room in the mandarin's house. 



THE SINGING SOUL 



A CHINESE LEGEND 

Scene. Interior of Kwan Yu's house in Peking, 
showing an upper room leading out upon a ter- 
race or balcony which overlooks the courtyard. 
Exits R. and l. On the walls are Chinese ban- 
ners, and in the c. a low tea-table with cups 
and saucers, teapot, a sweetmeat jar, and a vase 
holding a spray of plum- blossoms. On the R. 
up stage, a teakwood table, on zvhich stand the 
ancestral tablets of Kwan Yu's family, and be- 
side them two lighted tapers, also a jar holding 
sticks of incense. On the l. a carved seat large 
enough for two. Further up stage a long mir- 
ror resting on the floor, and beside it a bowl of 
goldfish. 

SCENE I 

Kwan Yu, Ting Ling and Tsi Moo DISCOV- 
ERED when the curtain rises. Kwan Yu, the 
father, is standing at l. before his ancestral tab- 
lets; Ting Ling is kneeling at the r. in front 
of a long mirror resting on the floor, and ar- 
ranging flowers in her hnir. Tsi Moo is also 
at R. kneeling over a gold-fish bowl feeding the 
fish) 

Kwan Yu. (Taking three sticks of incense and 
lighting them on the tapers beside the ancestral tab- 

5 



6 THE SINGING SOUL ^ 

lets) Three times I bow to the tablets of my ances- 
tors and pray the gods may attend me and prosper 
my work. ("Kwan Yu kneels) 

Tsi Moo. Our unhappy parent ! Seven nights 
and days has he knelt before the tablets of his ances- 
tors, preparing himself for this fatal hour. 

Ting Ling. (Turning away from the mirror) 
Our honorable parent was a fool to undertake the 
contract. His ambition will destroy him. A gun- 
maker turned bell-smith! 'Tis unheard of. Let the 
shoe-maker stick to his last. 

Tsi Moo. But think of what he gains if he suc- 
ceeds! The favor of the emperor, the ruby button 
and a peacock feather for his mandarin hat. The 
Son of Heaven has set his heart upon this bell which 
is to be most wonderful in tone, the sound of it to be 
heard through the length and breadth of Peking. . . . 
Our father was a maker of munitions ; he won his 
way to court by moulding firearms that pleased the 
rulers on the dragon throne in earlier time. But 
our new emperor is of different mind ; he has no 
taste for conquest, but would live in peace, con- 
tented with his books. Therefore, to hold his office 
and to please Yung Loh, our father rashly under- 
took the contract. Then to make sure of its success, 
he advertised for bellsmiths far and wide, skilled in 
their art ; and in the courtyard at our very door, he 
set this melting pot, where daily he may watch the 
workers' progress. If luck attends him he has 
promised me a necklace of jade beads. 

Ting Ling. A jewtled fan I'll choose for mine. 
Tsi Moo, let us drink our tea. (They rise and go 
toward table, where they sit and pour the tea. 
Kwan Yu has risen and is standing at r., zvhere a 
curtained entrance opens out upon a balcony over- 
looking the courtyard. He draws the curtain aside 
and looks out) 



THE SINGING SOUL 7 

KwAN Yu. The men have begun to arrive. At 
sundown the bell will be cast — for good or ill — as 
the gods decide. Twice was the metal poured into 
the waiting nipuld, but when the bell had cooled, its 
lips were cracked and fissured with a hundred 
seams. Silver and gold had gone into the mould, to- 
gether with iron and brass, for so the Son of 
Heaven decreed ; but, alas, the metals were too far 
removed, they spurned alliance and refused to mix. 
Yet the Emperor must be obeyed ; for his will is 
final. 

Tsi Moo. Tis not sweet enough. (Sipping her 
tea) Another honeysuckle leaf for my tea. 

Ting Ling. (Looking into the jar) Little pig! 
iThou hast emptied the sweetmeats jar ! 

KwAN Yu. (Approaching the table) My cares 
lie lightly on their hearts. (To them) Where is my 
little one ? 

Tsi Moo. Our sister, Ko Ngai, went abroad 
quite early to the house of her singing-master. He 
is teaching her a new song. 

KwAN Yu. A new song for my skylark ! Let 
her sing while she may. To-morrow, if I fail, her 
lips will be mute. Let there be music while the bell 
is poured ; her song shall keep the courage in my 
breast. (Turning to the balcony) I think I see her 
coming through the gate. 

Tsi Moo. (Derisively) Skylark indeed ! A sky- 
lark soars up high in air and flings its notes against 
the blue, and still we hear its song below. But Ko 
Ngai's voice is small and weak, so tiny you must 
bend your ear to take it in. 

Ting Ling. A chirping merely, not a singing, — 
a sparrow in the hedge — ^ 

Twittering, twittering, tra la la, 
Twittering, twittering, tra la la ! 



8 THE SINGING SOUL 

(They both laugh heartily. Ko Ngai appears in the 
doorway. Her hair hangs low over her shoulders, 
she carries a samosen and holds a parasol over her 
head) 

Tsi Moo. Ssh! Here comes our song-bird! 
/Kg Ngai goes at once to her father and touches 
him lightly on the shoulder) 

Ko Ngai. (Bowing as she turns) Most august 
lord and father, a good-day to you ! 

KwAN Yu. (Holding out his hands in welcome) 
My child, you have stayed too long. I missed your 
happy presence in the house. Come here to me. 
(They sit on the bench at l,) 

Ko Ngai. The master kept me past the hour to 
teach me a new song. I told him you were troubled 
here of late ; I wished to learn a tune — a gay and 
merry one — to drive your cares away. Listen while 
I sing it for you. (Thrumming her samosen and 
singing) 

"In the land of the wild, white rose. 
Where ,the swift Ho-ang-ho river flows, 
I sing while I play 
And the hours slip away 
In the land of the wild, white rose." 

(During the song the sisters mimic her, beating time 
with their fans) 

Ting Ling and Tsi Moo. (At the tea-table) 
Tweedle-dee, tweedle-dee, tweedledum 

Ko Ngai. (To her father, who nods his head 
approvingly during the song) Is it not a pretty 
tune? The master says my voice is growing 
stronger. He has promised that some day I shall 
go to the palace and sing for the Emperor. (Rising 
and coming forzvard with hands clasped) Oh, I 
want to be a Voice — a ringing Voice — a Voice that 



THE SINGING SOUL g 

shall sound through the ages! (The sisters hurst 
into loud laughter. Ko Ngai turns to look at them 
with a grieved expression, then she puts her hands 
to her eyes, and runs out) 

KwAN Yu. (Approaching his daughters angrily) 
Let her be ! You plague your sister far too much. 
All day you two sit idly drinking tea, painting your 
cheeks and lips, while she embroiders storks and 
pelicans, and sings with every stitch. Out with you ! 
fTsi Moo and Ting Ling rise hastily, and exit with 
their fans to their faces . Yen enters. He hears a 
scroll of yelloiv silk, printed in red letters, and 
sealed zvith the Dragon Seal. Bows and hands it to 
the mandarin) 

Yen. (Bowing) The Celestially August Yung 
Loh, Son of Heaven, Emperor of Peking, sends this 
message, f Yen hands Kwan Yu a scroll on yellow, 
silk printed in red letters) 

Kwan Yu. (Reads aloud) "Twice thou hast 
betrayed the faith we placed in thee when entrust- 
ing to thy hands the making of the great bell. If 
thou fail a third time to complete the task, thy head 
shall smile from a bamboo pole. Tremble and 
obey." 

Kwan Yu. (Despairingly) The Son of Heaven 
is angry ! If I fail to fill the contract, my life will 
be the price. 

Yen. The bearer of the letter moreover in- 
formed me that the Emperor is now at the temple 
offering prayers to Shang-ti the God above, from 
whence he will come himself to see the deed accom- 
plished. 

Kwan Yu. (Agitated) The Emperor will come 
here? (Turning to the halcony) Make haste that 
everything be ready. The fires must be lighted and 
the metals fused. 

Yen. Even now the furnace roars. The men 



10 THE SINGING SOUL 

work night and day and rest not, knowing how im- 
portant is the task. Yet still I fear the outcome. . . . 
Master, is there nothing lacking in the alloy? 

KwAN Yu. All has been done exactly as the 
Emperor ordered. 

Yen. But Yung Loh is not an alchemist; what 
knows he of making bells ? There was a wise man 
at the gate this morning asking to speak with you, 
but I told him you were at prayers and must not 
be disturbed. He said the warring metals will not 
mix till a fifth substance be added. 

KwAN Yu. (Impatiently) These meddling 
graybeards all would give advice. The formula is 
thus and so, we cannot change it now. (Pointing 
to the tea-table) Take these away, and make room 
for the Emperor. ^Yen clears the table and goes 
out. KwAN Yu stares gloomily at the edict in his 
hand. Ko Ngai enters excitedly) 

Kg Ngai. Father, a palanquin stops in the court- 
yard borne by men in the livery of the palace. Do 
you suppose the Emperor has come to hear me sing? 
(^KwAN Yu silently hands her the message; she 
reads) ''Your head shall smile from^ a bamboo 
pole." You cannot fail ! This time the bell must 
sound ! 

KwAN Yu. I pray it may. In an hour we shall 
know. I fear the temper of Yung Loh. He has 
been patient and long-suffering. . . . Oh, that I had 
not boasted of my skill! (There is a crash of 
cymbals announcing that the Emperor is at the 
door) 

Ko Ngai. (With her arms around Kwan Yuj 
Father, I feel you trembling. The Emperor must 
not see you thus afraid, or he will think you have 
no confidence in your skill. Go upon the balcony 
while I speak to him. 

Kwan Yu. (Hesitating) But it Is not seemly 



THE SINGING SOUL ii 

that you, my daughter, should be left alone with a 
man, even though he be the Emperor. 

Kg Ngai. I shall assuage his wrath with my 
song. (Leading him out through the door to balcony 
at L. Kno Ngai seats herself on the floor beside 
the bench at l._, and takes up her samosen. When 
Yung Loh enters, conducted by Yen, she bows her 
head to the ground three times without rising) 

Yen. The Illustrious Emperor Yung Loh would 
speak with Kwan Yu. (Exit Yen J 

Kg Ngai. Celestially August One, my father 
shall be notified. He is meditating alone, preparing 
himself for this hour. 

Yung Loh. (Regarding her zvith interest) You 
are Kwan Yu's daughter ? 

Ko Ngai. (Bowing) Ko Ngai, the youngest of 
three. 

Yung Loh. Ah! The singing girl whose name 
is in the mouth of poets ! (Holding out his hand) 
Luscious One, I greet you. Rise. (He helps her to 
her feet and, seating himself on the bench l., en- 
deavors to drazv her dozun beside him) Sit here, 
that I may see you on a level with my eyes. 

Ko Ngai. (Holding her fan before her face) 
One may not look unafraid into the eyes of the Son 
of Heaven. 

Yung Loh. Then I shall put a cloud between 
us. (Draws a strand of her hair across his face) 
How dark the cloud is, and how charged with per- 
fume! 

Ko Ngai. Does the Son of Heaven look angry 
behind the cloud? 

Yung Loh. And if he were ? 

Ko Ngai. The fire of his glance would scorch 
my locks and shrivel them to ashes ; but if he smiles, 
'twill make them grow like new grass under a spring 
sky. 



12 THE SINGING SOUL 

Yung Loh. 'Tis hot behind this cloud. I 
smother in it. You wear it for a while. 

Kg Ngai. (Obeying him) Is that better? 

Yung Loh. No, I hke it less, for now I cannot 
see your face, though I catch a glimpse of shining 
eyes, and teeth like rice-pearls gleaming through the 
lattice. . . . Are you smiling? 

Kg Ngai. No, no, alas ! The cloud is dropping 
rain. 

Yung Lgh. Why do you weep ? 

Kg Ngai. Because the Son of Heaven is angry 
with my father and threatens his life. Would that 
I could sing his anger away ! 

Yung Lgh. You may try, little bird. ('Kg Ngai 
picks up her samosen, and begins to sing) 

"In the land of the wild, white rose, 
Where the swift Ho-ang-ho river flows, 
I sing while I play 
As the hours sHp away 
In the land of the wild, white rose." 

Kg Ngai. Does the song please you? 

Yung Lgh. I was not listening. 

Kg Ngai. The Emperor was not listening! 

Yung Lgh. (Leaning toward her) I was watch- 
ing your lotus lips. . . . Your cheeks are like the 
almond blossoms — ^your breath is incense. . . . 
("Yen enters, bowing) 

Yen. (To Kg Ngai) I seek your honourable 
father. An old man waits at the gate, the same 
who came this morning, demanding to be heard. He 
has a secret formula he would impart to him con- 
cerning the casting of the bell, which he says will in- 
sure its success. 

Kg Ngai. Bring him in. (To the EmperorJ A 
stranger begs an audience, and if he knew your 



THE SINGING SOUL 13 

presence here, fear would tie his tongue. Will the 
Emperor condescend to absent himself a while ? 

Yung LoH. If your visitor stay not too long, — 
for I have more to say to you. ("Yung Loh goes 
out upon balcony. Yen brings in the wise man, Pad 
Chen. Yen bows and retires) 

Pao Chen. I would speak with Kwan Yu. 

Kg Ngai. He is troubled and must not be dis- 
turbed. Let me take the message. 

Pao Chen. You would n6t understand. 

Kg Ngai. Transcendingly Wise One, you are a 
student of the stars who has read my father's horo- 
scope and know the doom that threatens him. But 
Kwan Yu has no faith in prophets ; he relies alone 
in the cunning of his hands. He will not Hsten to 
you. Tell it to me. 

Pao Chen. (Tracing with his finger on the chart 
in his hand) I have consulted the Starry Oracles 
and the Five Principles of the Universe. I have 
marked the aspect of the Silver Stream, some call 
the Milky Way, and followed the Yellow Road 
marked by the Signs of the Zodiac. . . . And there 
I read that the stars are angry with Kwan Yu. 

Kg Ngai. The stars are angry with my father? 

Pao Chen. (Nodding) They are wroth that he, 
in his bold ambition, should, propose to make a bell 
of such a mighty tone, that its sound shall reach the 
skies, and jar the constellations in their spheres. 

Ko Ngai. Alas ! is there no offering we can make 
— no sacrifice that will appease? A bullock two 
years old or a ewe lamb my father will place on the 
altar. 

Pao Chen. The blood of sheep or bullock will 
not placate them. . . . Yet there is a way to con- 
quer their displeasure. 

Ko Ngai. OH, tell me by what way? 

Pao Chen. This misbegotten thing which so of- 



14 THE SINGING SOUL 

fends their heavenly ears must be re-made into an 
instrument of perfect sound, its dissonance changed 
to heavenly harmonies. . . . The hell must find a 
soul. 

Kg Ngai. The bell must find a soul? 
Pao Chen. (Nodding) A white soul — a singing 
soul — a soul turned to the Infinite. Kwan Yu must 
propitiate the stars. ^Pao Chen bows and goes out 
at R.) 

Ko Ngai. (Repeating to herself) The stars are 
angry. . . . The Emperor was angry, and I sang to 
him. (Seizing her samosen and starting toward the 
door) I will sing to the stars ! (Shaking her head) 
No, 'tis no use ! In an hour the bell will be cast — 
before the sun is set — before the stars come out. 
And no one knows where they tarry by day. ... I 
must go at once and tell my father what the Wise 
Man has said, f Ko Ngai starts to leave the room at 
R. hut the Emperor intercepts her) 
Yung Loh. , Has your beggar gone? 
Ko Ngai. He was no beggar, but a soothsayer 
with a warning. The stars are offended with Kwan 
Yu, that he should dare to make this bell, whose 
voice will speak so loud th^t even they must listen. 
Yung Loh. The stars are offended? Then 'tis 
with me, for I conceived the plan. Your father is 
but the instrument. 

Ko Ngai. (Eagerly) Then if you willed it, you 
can still undo it. Give up this daring scheme which 
mocks the gods, and be content with lesser aims. 

Yung Loh. . . . The bell is my life dream. 
When I ascended the Dragon throne, young and full 
of hope, I had a vision of what the world might be 
if wars should cease. My predecessors all were war- 
rior men who ruled by force of arms ; but in my 
youth I had a teacher, a philosopher, who schooled 
me in the wisdom of the prophets, preaching gen- 



THE SINGING SOUL 15 

tieness and love. ... So I resolved ere yet my 
reign began, to put an end to all this useless strife 
and sow the seeds of peace throughout the land. I 
first commanded your father to throw his guns into 
the melting-pot, and then to make the deed remem- 
bered for all time, I ordered him to cast a bell that 
would resound afar and wide, calling the people to- 
gether, welding their hearts into one. . . . And on 
the lips of the bell I would have engraved the say- 
ings of Buddha and the wise ones of all times, ex- 
tolling the glories of peace. . . . But lest the iron 
guns should give the bell too harsh a sound, I had 
it softened with finer metals, deepened with gold, 
sweetened with silver, strengthened with brass. 
Thus the bell would become a mighty Voice, — a 
Voice ringing down through the ages. . . . 

i'Ko Ngai. (In an awed tone) A Voice ringing 
down through the ages ! . . . But why a bell ? Why 
not a man of eloquent tongue to go throughout your 
kingdom telling of these things ? 

Yung Loh. I put no trust in men. Their 
tongues may lie, but a bell will always ring 
true. 

Ko Ngai. Then the work must go on ? 

Yung Loh. If peace is to come — if wars are to 
cease. 

Ko Ngai. And if it fails — my father dies? 

Yung Loh. What the Emperor has decreed can- 
not be changed. Yet I may delay the task. My 
reign is young — there are years ahead in which to do 
the deed. 

Ko Ngai. Then you will put it off? 

Yung Loh. (After a pause) On one condition. 
That you give yourself as hostage. 

Ko Ngai. (Surprised) I — a mandarin's daugh- 
ter — to sit at your side on the Dragon throne? It 
would frighten the song in my throat. 



i6 THE SINGING SOUL 

Yung Loh. Not on the throne where cares of 
state engross my mind, but in the palace garden 
when the day is done. There I would have you, — 
you and your song. 

Kg Ngai. (Delighted) My wish has come true ! 
I shall go to the palace and sing before the Emperor ! 
. . . Then my voice pleases you? 

Yung Loh. Your voice? Oh, your voice is 
sweet and delicate 

Kg Ngai. (Disappointed) Delicate! 

Yung Loh. As a wind-bell tinkling in the 
breeze, but clear as a bird's note. Come to my gar- 
den of perpetual spring, and we shall sit together 
under the banyan tree, waiting for the moon. My 
garden now is beautiful but mute ; it needs a night- 
ingale. Your song will make me forget this dream 
of kings. 

Kg Ngai. (Troubled) Forget your dream? 

Yung Loh. Why not? Love is for life's morn- 
ing ; these sterner tasks for middle age. Fame shall 
wait on love. 

Ko Ngai. (Hesitating) But the peace — the 
peace that is to be ! 

Yung Loh. I shall find it in your arms ! 

Kg Ngai. And the sound of men fighting . . . 

Yung Loh. We shall not hear it — shut in by 
garden walls. 

Kg Ngai. (Earnestly) Oh, do not give up your 
dream ! 

Yung Loh. (Coming close to her) I see a 
fairer dream before me. My mind is on this hour. 

Kg Ngai. (Moving apart) And mine is on eter- 
nities. (Turning quickly toward the balcony) But 
I have forgotten my father. (Leans and looks down 
upon the courtyard — draws back) Too late to warn 
him now. They make ready for the casting. 
(Stands irresolute) 



THE SINGING SOUL 17 

Yung Loh. (Eagerly) There is still time. I 
will watch the ceremony below in the courtyard. If 
you take' my offer, cast your slipper from the bal- 
cony and I will stay your father's hand, ere yet he 
gives the signal. fYuNG Loh leaves by the bal- 
cony. Ko Ngai stands looking down upon the 
scene below, while the red light from the furnace 
fires illumines her face) 

Ko Ngai. (Drawing back — afraid) Kow the 
metals hiss and bubble in the cauldron! The hot 
lava spurts upward as though to escape the flames 
which leap to embrace it. . . . How it lashes itself 
to a frenzy like a creature unsatisfied — seeking that 
which is lacking. . . . (With a sudden impulse she 
removes the slipper from her foot and holds it out 
in an attitude of supplication) Ye gods who deny 
us your sanction, — beholki a sacrifice! This token 
which my heart would c^st at the feet of the Em- 
peror I give that the flames may consume it. His 
love will I forget if you will but bless the task and 
make his dream of peacte a reality. (Tosses the 
slipper from the balcony-awaits. Resignedly ) 'Tis 
no use. The gods make rlo answer. The Wise Man 
has spoken. The bell must find a soul — a soul in 
tune with the Infinite. . . . Shall I be a wind-bell 
blown by every breeze inl the Emperor's garden, or 
shall I be a Voice, a Vdice ringing down through 
the ages? The stars shafl be satisfied! (Ko Ngai 
turns quickly with armsi upraised and leaps from 
the balcony. There is alhissing sound, followed by 
the wailing of the crow^ as her white body enters 
the molten mass) \ 

fYuNG Loh enters, overcome, with the slipper in 
his hand, accompanied by Pao Chen) 

Yung Loh. I sought to catch her as she leaped 



i8 THE SINGING SOUL 

and came away with this. . . . Was it for the 
dream's sake, or to save her father's head ? 

Pag Chen. Her soul went singing to the end, 
and singing it shall live again in the toning bell. 

Yung Loh. (With his eyes still on the slipper) 
The nightingale is no morel My garden shall re- 
main forever mute. 

CURTAIN 



JUST PUBLISHED 

Nothing But the Truth 

A Farcical Comedy in Thre^Acts 

B} 

Jam* Montgomery 

Cast of Characters 

Bob Bennett 

B- M. Ralston 

Clarence Van Dusen 

Bishop Doran 

IMck Donnelly 

Gwen \ 

Mrs. Ralston 

Ethel 

M&ble' 

Sable 

Jtfartha 

SCljNES 

ACT 1. A Broker's Office 

ACT 2, Parlor of a Country Home 

ACT 3. " " " " 

TIME: 'The Present 
"Nothing But the TruthJ' is built upon the simple idea, 
of its hero speaking nothihir but the absolute truth for a 
stated period He bets ajfriend ten thousand dollars 
that he can do it, and boldly tackles truth to win the 
money For a very short time the task is placidly easy, 
but Truth routs out old mail Trouble and then things be- 
ein to happen. Trouble doesn't seem very large and 
aggressive when he first iokes his nose into the noble 
resolve of our hero, but he grows rapidly and soon wd; 
see our dealer in truth disrupting the domestic relations 
of his partner In fact. Trouble works overtime, and 
reputations that have bejn unblemished are smirched. 
Situations that are absii-d and complications almost 
knotted pile up, all crediTed to Truth, and the result of 
fhewage^r to foster and jherish that great virtue from 
the lips of the man who ijas espoused the cause of truth 

^^^is a iTovlf'idea and o well has it ^een worked out 
•tYmf an audience is kep in throes of laughter at tne 
seem^Sly impossible tasl to untangle snarls into which 
^uThe?o has involved 4l those he comes into contact 
wUh It is a cl?an brighl farce of weH drawn characters 
and Was built for laughihg purposes only. 

■wT-iiiinm Collier played Nothing But the Truth ror a 
yeS a^the Lonlac^e Thitre. New York, and it has been 

*^ Vf^ter 'th'reTyVa7s%'SS& success on the Profess- 
i^mfl c,taffe we are now Offering "Nothing But the Truth' 
fo?amatlur production./ It is one of the funniest aiad 
toPighSSt farces ever wfitten. and it is admirably suited 
t9 amateur production. 

PRiiE 6o Cents 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

016 102 177 5 # 



